SKU: 3118915281

20mm Elasticated French Navy and Special Forces Strap in Maroon

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Description

20mm Elasticated French Navy and Special Forces Strap in MaroonMilitary Watch Straps: A Legacy of Functionality and Design The term military watch straps is often broadly applied to one piece straps, but a closer look reveals a fascinating variety, each with its own origins in different military branches across various countries. Historically, ground troops have relied on the NATO strap or its U. S. variant, while aircrew have preferred the Bund Strap. Divers, on the other hand, have used standard NATO straps,

Military Watch Straps: A Legacy of Functionality and Design

The term military watch straps is often broadly applied to one-piece straps, but a closer look reveals a fascinating variety, each with its own origins in different military branches across various countries. Historically, ground troops have relied on the NATO strap or its U.S. variant, while aircrew have preferred the Bund Strap. Divers, on the other hand, have used standard NATO straps, though in some countries, naval divers have operated with a highly specialized strap known as the Parachute Elastic Strap, or Marine Nationale strap.

All military straps share a common heritage of necessity-driven design, offering practicality and functionality. The Parachute Elastic Strap was first used with a Tudor watch, but it was also seen on ELVIA and various other watches used by the French military.


The Origins of the Parachute Elastic Strap

The Parachute Elastic Strap dates back to the 1950s. Some divers purchased Perlon straps made of woven nylon fibers, while others resourcefully repurposed the elastic straps from their reserve parachute bags. These elastic straps—often khaki-green with a yellow stripe, though also available in various other colors—were flexible, resilient, and comfortable when worn over a wetsuit.

The metal components from the parachute bag were also repurposed for the strap’s hardware, including the keepers and hook clasp. The design was simple yet effective:

  1. A long strip of elastic material was folded at the midpoint, where a metal hook was stitched into place.
  2. A metal loop was fitted over both loose ends, serving as an anchor for the hook.
  3. The loop slid freely along the strap’s length, allowing for easy adjustment and a perfect fit.

Comfortable and practical, these straps were made from issued materials, making them a cost-effective solution for military divers.


Premium Parachute Elastic Straps

Our Parachute Elastic Straps replicate the vintage Marine Nationale strap, making them ideal for summer wristwear and a perfect match for dive watches. Crafted from premium elastic, the material is tightly woven, resulting in a strap that is both soft to the touch and incredibly strong.

Each strap features brushed stainless steel hardware, including a hook clasp that stays true to the original vintage design. Our designs are available in 18mm, 20mm and 22mm widths.


Advantages of Parachute Elastic Straps

Customers choose Parachute Elastic Straps for several reasons:

  • Unmatched Comfort: Many users claim it's the most comfortable strap they've ever worn—it fits so well, you barely notice it.
  • Sweat and Odor Resistant: The elastic wicks away sweat instantly and absorbs no odor.
  • Washable: Simply remove the strap, wash it, and reattach it.
  • Infinite Adjustability: The strap allows for a perfectly snug or loose fit, depending on preference. Adjustments are effortless.
  • Secure Fit: Once in place, the strap remains firmly secured, preventing flipping, twisting, or movement. The watch stays centered on the wrist.
  • Enhanced Security: The design minimizes the risk of losing the watch due to spring bar failure.
  • Affordability: Parachute Elastic Straps offer a cost-effective way to refresh your watch’s look.
  • Stylish Color Options: The variety of color choices allows for coordination with watch dials. The central stripe can highlight a dial feature, such as the seconds hand, a complication, or simply add a touch of color.

Installing a Marine Nationale Strap

Installing a Marine Nationale strap may seem tricky at first—similar to the initial challenge of fitting NATO straps due to their length. However, once you understand how it works, the process is straightforward.

The first time we came across one of these straps a few years ago, despite being very familiar with watch straps in general, it took a bit of figuring out. However, once we understood the technique, it couldn’t have been easier.

For those new to fitting these straps, the process can seem confusing at first, but this video provides a clear demonstration: How to Install a Marine Nationale Strap

It's important to note that these straps cannot be used on watches with fixed solid bars.

Marine Nationale straps share many advantages with NATO straps but achieve a similar function in a different way. They are especially popular among military personnel who prefer them over ballistic nylon straps to avoid snagging. Consequently, we offer various straps made from the same material used in these original French military designs.

Shipping Notes
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Exchange/Return Notes
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SKU: 3118915281

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Kate Miller
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
10/10 Would Buy Again
Size: Large-3SET
Absolutely gorgeous cutting boards. Bamboo is a rich deep drown, sturdy with all sorts of foods - vegetables, meats, fruit etc. Nothing sticks and very easy to hand wash - makes food prep a breeze. Great value, size as described, easy storage upright for drying.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026
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Sgt Slaughter
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Great quality for price
Size: Large-3SET
A little on the thin side, but it’s made with sustainable bamboo, and is nice to work with. Just don’t ever ever let a bamboo board like this stay wet for a long time. It WILL absolutely warp/de-laminate.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2025
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Jobe
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect
Size: Large-3SET
ABSOLUTELY LOVE TGE QUALITY AND LOOK !
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026
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Sean
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Great chopping board and very stylish, look great with modern home
Very stylish and looks really lovely on the kitchen island. Been using it for over 3 months. only little complain I had is that I wish they do a better job cleaning up the back of the board, there are some wood spike that aren't fully smooth out.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2025
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Purple Prussian
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 1
low quality; not as advertised
Low quality. The wood has an unpleasant smell, even after initial washing and thorough drying followed by extensive seasoning. Several of the surfaces of the boards were rough. One board was gouged on the bottom (I typically use both sides of the cutting board). Another board had a small amount of wood filler on the bottom. I was forced to sand most of the surfaces in order to smooth them before I seasoned them. There are gaps in the stand where boards join that are not filled. The boards are purported to be pre-oiled, but I didn't see any evidence of that. The "detachable non-slip rubber feet" are not attached and are a little too hard to be "non-slip". If you want to attach the feet then you are on your own - there are no pilot holes and the screws are not self-tapping. The screws have a conical, tapered head and so they do not match well to the feet - a washer-head screw would be the correct type of fit. Lastly, I don't know my wood types that well, but furniture and cutting board acacia is said to be significantly harder than oak. These cutting boards do not strike me as being as hard as my old oak cutting board.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2026

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